Denis Villeneuve Says ‘Dune 3’ Is ‘Not Like a Trilogy’ and Will Be His Last ‘Dune’ Movie: Other Directors Could Take Over So ‘I’m Not Closing the Door’ on the Franchise

As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of cinema, I find myself eagerly anticipating the continuation of Denis Villeneuve‘s epic saga, “Dune.” Having been captivated by the visual grandeur and storytelling prowess of the first two installments, I am intrigued by the director’s stance on the upcoming third film not being a conventional trilogy closure.


In an interview on Vanity Fair’s “Little Gold Men” podcast, Denis Villeneuve stated that the upcoming third “Dune” movie, based on Frank Herbert’s novel “Dune Messiah,” is not considered as a concluding part of a trilogy from his perspective. It was announced in April by Legendary Entertainment that work on “Dune 3” was being initiated after the global success of “Dune: Part 2,” which earned over $711 million worldwide this year.

Villeneuve explained that the first two ‘Dune’ films he worked on were essentially a set of two movies adapting the first book. He considers this project complete. If he makes a third movie, which is currently being written, it won’t be part of a traditional trilogy. Rather, if he returns to this world, it would be to create something fresh and distinct.

12 years following the storyline in the initial “Dune” book, the sequel “Dune Messiah” is set. Therefore, a possible approach for a film adaptation might involve maturing the young ensemble cast that includes Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh and others. The director, Villeneuve, hinted at his ability to accomplish this ageing process when questioned about it, but declined to disclose specific details of his strategy.

Villeneuve has consistently shown a desire to create a third “Dune” film, which he’s indicated would be his swan song for the series. While Herbert’s literary series expanded with additional books, Villeneuve is fine with other filmmakers stepping in to continue the “Dune” franchise.

He mentioned that if ‘Dune: Messiah’ ever comes to life, it would be quite some time since he last set foot on Arrakis for him. He expressed his desire to venture into something new, but suggested a clever approach. He proposed planting seeds in the project, should someone wish to continue the story after ‘Messiah’. These books are captivating yet challenging to adapt, growing more esoteric with each installment. Adapting them can be tricky, but he’s not ruling it out entirely. Instead, he hinted that it could potentially be taken on by another talented individual.

It’s yet unclear if the cast of “Dune” will continue working on franchise films without Villeneuve, as their decision may hinge on his involvement. Earlier this year, Zendaya expressed interest in “Dune 3” primarily due to her director. (Paraphrased)

Is it possible that we could do another ‘Dune’ film? Certainly, Zendaya replied, echoing her sentiment. “As soon as Denis calls, I’m ready to say yes. I can’t wait to see what unfolds. After starting ‘Messiah’, I felt a sudden realization – I’m just making the first movie; I need to get back to the first one! It’s overwhelming, but there’s no one more capable and dedicated than Denis in bringing this project to life.

Zendaya expressed her eagerness to witness more of the series, stating it’s a matter of anticipation. ‘Whenever he feels ready,’ she said, referring to the creator who values perfection and prefers to unveil things when they’re perfectly polished. So I’m patiently waiting for him to be ready.

You can now stream both “Dune” movies on Max. For a comprehensive listen, check out Villeneuve’s complete interview on the “Little Gold Men” podcast. [Here](Link_to_the_podcast).

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2024-09-10 23:16